Vol. 1 Chapter 3 – Part 3
Shin set aside his worry and headed toward the guild. Though the rumor about the Skull Face was true, they hadn’t heard about it. In addition, the Jack • Skull Face basically has several Pawn class subordinates, so he couldn’t assert that it became safe just because the Jack class was subjugated.
Shin had been searching for enemies in the surrounding area when he left the battle location, but there were no signs of other monsters in the surroundings. Did it act alone? Or were its subordinates swallowed up by the dance and sliced into pieces? It was very likely the latter if one looked at the Skull Face’s actions. It was not a movement that could distinguish between friend or foe.
Even a normal adventurer of this world could handle a Pawn class monster, so there was no problem if it was revealed to be Pawn class. But the story was different in case of a unique monster like the Jack class. From Beid’s way of speaking, he seemed not to worried, because a Jack class monster didn’t came forth very often.
Nevertheless, would it end with only a mere unique monster appearance this time? It was the anxiety of Shin, who was ignorant about this world.
That said, the current Shin didn’t understand it no matter how much he thought about it. He thought about whether he should ask Els or Celica again about that situation and opened the guild door.
The guild was the most crowded place Shin had ever seen. The place where adventurers assemble, was crowded with adventurers who were armed with swords and spears, and wore armor and robes.
Besides the anxious feelings, the place generally had a feeling of excitement to it. There were some unusual people who didn’t seem to be agitated.
“This is somewhat imposing.”
Although there were many people, the receptionist desk was not crowded, so he decided to report it at once. Conveniently, Celica was at the receptionist desk. Shin was saved from trouble because the contents of his report were more or less better told to a person he knew.
“Hello. I have something I need to report.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Shin-sama. The report?”
“It was about the Skull Face. However to be sure, how much is known by now?”
“Tsu!…the Skull Face is known to be Jack class, it’s been reported from surviving adventurers that the Skull Face holds a weapon that is stronger than normal. Every individual confirmed it in general. The Pawn class subordinates are not confirmed yet. Currently, subjugation requests have been issued. It became top priority, because the place in question is near the kingdom. Various A and S ranks are all out because of the situation, and are getting ready to set up a front party with B ranks and below.”
It seemed that its battle style was not known. But it was the information regarding the weapon that Shin was anxious about.
“The weapon is stronger than normal?”
“Rather than a common greatsword, the Skull Face’s sword is around twice as big.”
“…It’s a greatsword, huh? Any other information about the sword?”
“No, that’s all we know for now.”
The information about the sword had already circulated after all. As expected, the adventurers who survived the battle did not forget the weapon of the enemy. However, the greatsword which that Jack class was using should have been charged with light magic of the light attribute. Why was there no information about that?
“…In summary, it is a Jack class with a larger than usual weapon, right?”
“Yes. The level is presumed to be at least 200 or more.”
“…………”
Hmm, Shin pondered. That was not the answer Shin wanted to hear, he wanted to know whether or not the greatsword was charged with light magic. But from Celica’s story it seemed like the weapon of the Jack class was just a mere greatsword. Because he expected that a magic bestowed weapon would be rare, he was in danger of being suspected to have a connection with the sword that flew into the royal castle if he unskillfully mentioned it.
The idea of a totally different Skull Face appeared in Shin’s mind, but the idea of two Skull Faces would only make uproar if he mentioned it. Besides, was there such a thing like two Jack • Skull Face with similar greatswords appearing at the same time in the same place?
“Uhm, Shin-sama?”
“Ah, sorry. Just slightly lost in thought.”
Celica was slightly worried, because Shin had pondered while his facial expression showed a serious look. According to Celica’s judgment, Shin was one of the few people with fighting power equal to the S class. If such a person was making a serious face when hearing the information about the Skull Face, it couldn’t be helped that she became uneasy.
“What are you thinking about?…”
“Well, I was thinking about what kind of items Skull Faces drop.”
Shin thought about the greatsword, about whether or not it was charged with light magic and what kind of questions he should ask to find out, but could not say it. Instead, he decided to ask about the item drop.
“Item drops? Uhm, If I remember correctly, it drops a jewel, worn-out armor and a sword, which can be sold at moderate prices, I think…”
“Oh, is that so. Iyaa, I completely forgot about that, hahaha”
Shin behaved cheerily so that the lie he told wouldn’t be exposed, but by all odds, he behaved suspiciously.
However, Celica didn’t notice Shin’s strange behavior because a Skull Face of the Jack class was a formidable opponent, so she wasn’t worried about the item drop. In the guild, a senile looking man laughed unnaturally as he replied to a woman, which was an out of place scene.
“That reminds me, what kind of case would Shin-sama like to report?”
“Oops, sorry. It’s an important matter. I want to report that the Jack • Skull Face in the northern forest was killed by me. Ah, this is the jewel which I recovered at the time.”
“Really? Skull Face…Skull…that…?…uhm, was it Pawn class?…”
“No, it was a Jack class. It had a greatsword too.”
“…………”
Celica’s movement became awkward as she tried to take out the document like usual after hearing Shin’s words. Somehow she managed to return a question about whether she misheard Shin’s words, but said question was denied plainly. It was so surprising that no words came out.
“…………”
“…………”
“…Errr, Celica-san?”
“Eh? Ah!? So-sorry! I was surprised for a moment.”
Celica pulled herself together and apologized in a hurry. That caused her tone to return to normal.
“Is it that surprising?”
“No, not at all!? At least an A rank with considerable ability is necessary to subjugate the Skull Face of Jack class alone. Please do not say it like it was a trivial thing!”
“Uhm, sorry?”
“I knew Shin-sama was a strong person…but subjugating it alone on the day the request is issued is unheard of.”
“That encounter was a coincidence though…”
“Still, normally a person would return first and report it to the guild, then attack after they firmly prepared. I think only few people would think of attacking it on the spot.”
“I see. No, but certainly my weapon is like this.”
The sword, which was mostly just a hilt, was shown. During the fight, when he heard the crack, the katana’s blade was already in a sorry state. In other words, its state was currently worse than a bamboo sword.
“Ha!? Has it shattered!”
“I only managed to keep this little part.”
“What kind of absurdity did you do!?”
“Wha!? Celica-san, too close! Too close!”
He held Celica’s shoulders to stop her from approaching any closer and climbing over the counter while her expression changed. Because of the sudden action, their faces approached each other until they were around 20 cemels apart.
Shin was experiencing a trivial, internal conflict about whether he should praise or scorn himself for reacting to Celica’s unexpected action.
“Eh…Ahh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do such a strange thing. I was worried that you got injured or rather I got too excited…Wait, what am I saying!?”
The shaken Celica was amusing to Shin as he watched her. Shin almost retorted as he looked at her. She appeared to be so surprised that the Jack class was defeated by him alone.
“An intellectual, cool woman who is both shy and nervous…? Somehow this is…someone is coming!”
It’s better for me to come, but don’t give off some half-baked calmness. You are kinda conspicuous.”
“Huh? Oh, Els”
Is this moe?…Shin nodded alone as Els called from behind him. Apparently, Shin and Celica’s conversation was attracting attention from the surrounding people without them knowing it. (TL note: Moé, an anime term used to describe an ‘ideal girl’)
“Excuse me for intruding. Besides, just now the embarrassed Celica-san was so cute.”
“Cu-cute!?”
“Though I agree there, I would like you not to bully your colleague too much.”
“Agree!?”
“I’m sorry. But it was not intentional, the explanation still remains.”
“I know. Because I also saw her.”
“If that’s the case, what about my opinion…”
Els and Shin who hastened their conversation, ignoring all of Celica’s words. If Els was there from the beginning, Shin felt that the situation would not become like this.
“Don’t say that. I have even prepared in various ways and was gathering information.”
Els’ attire was not the miss receptionist look like what Celica was wearing. Instead she was wearing hunter-equipment that was made for easiness of movement. She wore a slightly long leather jacket which seemed to be made from a durable material, together with a pouch to store small items and compression shorts that went to her knees, which were covered by long boots. The bow on her back was the fundamental equipment of a hunter, while a dagger was tied to her left thigh. Her long hair was tied up and the atmosphere around her was different from before. It was ‘the hunter who was aiming at something’ presence.
“About the Skull Face?”
“Yeah, it’s the